Hold&#39;em casino game

ABSTRACT

In a method of playing a house-banked casino card game, an exposed preset hand is displayed. A wager from a player is received. The wager is placed on one of the exposed preset hand and/or a table hand. The table hand is displayed. A set of community cards is displayed. A winning hand is determined between the exposed preset hand and the table hand based upon a relative ranking of the exposed preset hand combined with the community cards and a relative ranking of the table hand combined with the community cards. The player is paid in response to the player wagering on the winning hand.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a card game. More particularly, the present invention pertains to a house-banked Hold'Em card game.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Texas Hold'Em is a generally known card game. Conventionally, two cards are dealt to each player sitting at a table and five cards are dealt for use by all the players. The player with the best standard five-card poker hand wins the game.

While conventional Texas Hold'Em is a simple and fun game with many opportunities to place bets, the game does not lend itself to a house banked casino game. As a conventional table game, the casino makes money by taking a rake (a percentage of the bets) or charges a fee based on the time a player is sitting at the table. This type of game has limited public appeal. Therefore, casinos maintain few tables and these few tables are typically populated by skilled, advanced, players—further limiting the appeal to the general population.

While there have been many attempts to modify conventional Texas Hold'Em as a house-banked Texas Hold'Em game for casino play, unfortunately, these games are complicated and have failed to entice the general population to play. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a house-banked Texas Hold'Em game for casino play that is capable of overcoming the disadvantages described herein at least to some extent.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The foregoing needs are met, to a great extent, by the present invention, wherein in some embodiments house-banked Texas Hold'Em game for casino play is provided.

An embodiment of the present invention relates to a method of playing a house-banked casino card game. In this method, a preset known Hold'Em hand is exposed. A collection of X unknown hands are dealt. A wager from a player is received for one of two main choices; preset exposed hand or a collection of random individual hands; X−1 unknown hands to be precise. X−1 unknown hands are to be referred as table hands. The X^(th) unknown hand is referred as house edge hand. There are optional bonus wager which must be placed before the start of the hand. Once all bets are placed, one of the table hand is exposed. Five community cards are flopped. Based on the rules of Texas Hold'Em, the best five card hand is made. This is repeated for all table hands, using the same community cards. At least three of the community cards must be used in determining the best five card poker hand. A winning hand is determined between the preset exposed hand and the table hands based upon a relative ranking of the preset exposed hand and a relative ranking of the table hand. If any of the table hands result in the highest hand, then the player betting on the table hands wins. If a player bets on the preset exposed hand, then the player must also beat the best five card hand made by the house edge hand to win. The player is paid in response to the player wagering on the winning hand. Bonus bets are paid according to house odds based upon the relative rankings preset by the house.

Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a game table. The game table includes a dealer area and a plurality of player areas. The dealer area includes a exposed preset hand area, a table hand area, house edge hand area, and a community card area. The table hand area is configured to receive one or more unexposed random hands. The house edge hand area will leftmost with respect to the dealer and next to the unexposed random hands area. The house edge hand will have the long edge of the player cards perpendicular to the dealer while all other hands will have the cards will have the short edge of the cards perpendicular to the dealer at the start of the game. The community card area is configured to receive a set of community cards.

Yet another embodiment of the present invention relates to a method of playing a house-banked casino card game. In this method, an exposed preset hand is displayed. A wager from a player is received. The wager being placed on one of the exposed preset hand and a table hand. The table hand is displayed. A set of community cards is displayed. A winning hand is determined between the exposed preset hand combined with the set of community cards and the table hand combined with the set of community cards based upon a relative ranking thereof. The player is paid in response to the player wagering on the winning hand.

Yet again another embodiment of the present invention pertains to a method of playing a house-banked casino card game. In this method, an exposed preset hand is displayed. A wager is received from a player. The wager being placed on one of the exposed preset hand and a set of table hands. A first table hand of the set of table hands is displayed. A set of community cards is displayed. A relative ranking of the exposed preset hand combined with the set of community cards and a relative ranking of the first table hand combined with the set of community cards is determined. A second table hand of the set of table hands is displayed in response to determining the exposed preset hand combined with the set of community cards is a higher ranked hand relative to the first table hand combined with the set of community cards. A winning hand is determined between the exposed preset hand combined with the set of community cards and the set of table hands combined with the set of community cards based upon a relative ranking of the exposed preset hand combined with the set of community cards and a relative ranking of each hand of the set of table hands combined with the set of community cards. The player is paid in response to the player wagering on the winning hand.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, certain embodiments of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof herein may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional embodiments of the invention that will be described below and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of embodiments in addition to those described and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein, as well as the abstract, are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of a game table suitable for use with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a system suitable for use according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a system architecture for a game device suitable for use in the system according to FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating a set of instruction suitable for use with the system according to FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of playing a house-banked poker game.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention provides, in some embodiments, a house-banked Texas Hold'Em game for casino play, a game table suitable for playing the game, and a method of playing the game. In general, the game involves betting on the outcome between a predetermined or exposed preset hand and one or more unknown, random hands or ‘table hands’. The following descriptions of the game are made by way of example. However, the particulars of the game may be modified to increase interest and/or excitement of the game players and/or modify the odds of the player or the house winning the game and all such modifications are within the scope and spirit of the various embodiments of the invention.

The invention will now be described with reference to the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout. As shown in FIG. 1, a game table 10 suitable for use with an embodiment of the invention includes a dealer area 12 and a plurality of player areas 14. The dealer area 12 includes a exposed preset hand area 16, a table hand area 18, a community card area 20, and a house edge hand area 24.

The exposed preset hand area 16 is configured to receive a exposed preset hand. The table hand area 18 is configured to receive one or more table hand(s). The community card area 20 is configured to receive a set of community cards that are combined with the exposed preset hand and the table hand(s) to make the respective poker hands that are compared to determine a winning hand. As described herein, the players may wager upon either the exposed preset hand or the table hand(s). The house edge hand area 24 is configured to receive one or more house edge hands that gives the dealer (i.e., the house) an advantage. In this regard, the house edge hand is similar to the green spots on a roulette wheel or the rule that the house wins ties in Pai Gow. The community card area 20 includes a flop area 26, a turn area 28, and a river area 30. Optionally, the plurality of player areas 14 include dividing lines 32 configured to partition the individual player areas from one another.

The player areas 14 include a exposed preset hand wagering area 38 and an table hands wagering area 40. Disposed within the exposed preset hand wagering area 38, each player area 14 includes a player exposed preset hand wager area 42. Disposed within the table hands wagering area 40, each player area 14 includes a table hands wagering area 44. In a particular example shown in FIG. 1, the game table 10 includes 7 player areas 14. However, in other examples the game table 10 includes one or more player areas 14. Specific examples include 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 or more player areas 14.

The player exposed preset hand wager area 42 and the table hands wagering area 44 include a game wager area 46. The game wager area 46 is configured to receive a wager from the player. Optionally, one or both of the player exposed preset hand wager area 42 and the table hands wagering area 44 may include a exposed preset hand bonus wager area 48 and/or an table hand bonus wager area 50. If included, the exposed preset hand bonus wager area 48 and/or an table hand bonus wager area 50 may be configured to receive bonus wagers from the player.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 5, a game may be initiated once all the players have placed all wagers (play wagers and, optionally, bonus wagers). In general, the game play cards may be disposed upon the game table 10 prior to wagering or may be dealt out in a particular order after the wagers are placed. Regardless of when the cards are dealt, initially, only the exposed preset hand is shown or otherwise displayed in the exposed preset hand area 16. For the purposes of this disclosure, the term, “display” and its derivatives is defined as dealing out—face up, showing, otherwise providing a face value of a card, and the like. In some particular embodiments, the exposed preset hand may be any possible two card hand. When using a standard or conventional 52-card deck of cards and given a Texas Hold'Em-style 2-card hand, there are 1326 possible hands or starting hands (52×51/2=1326). While any one of these may be a suitable exposed preset hand, traditionally, suits have no relative value in poker-type games so, there are 169 (13×13=169) nonequivalent hands. There are 13 pocket pairs, 78 suited hands and 78 unsuited hands. Again, while any of these hands may be utilized, in the particular examples that follow this more general example, play will be described using a few hands that are relatively desirable. Furthermore, in other embodiments, the exposed preset and/or table hands may include one, three, four, or more cards and all of these embodiments are within the scope and spirit of the invention.

In various embodiments, the rest of the playing cards may be dealt out, face down, or selected cards may be dealt out, face up, in a particular sequence or order. In some embodiments, the order that the cards are shown may follow the conventional method followed in Texas Hold'Em play. For example, one or more table hands may be turned over or dealt, face up, in the table hand area 18. Thereafter, three cards may be turned over or dealt out, face up, in the flop area 26. These first three cards are traditionally known as the “flop”. Optionally, additional bets may be placed after the flop. Following the flop, a card may be burned (e.g., removed from the top of the deck and placed on the bottom of the deck) and an additional card is turned over or dealt, face up, in the turn area 28. This additional card is traditionally known as the “turn”. Optionally, additional bets may be placed after the turn. Following the turn, a card may be burned and a final card is turned over or dealt, face up, in the river area 30. This final card is traditionally known as the “river”. As in general accordance with Hold'Em play rules, the flop, turn and river make up the community cards and the community cards are combined with the exposed preset hand and/or each of the table hands to make the best 5-card hand.

The best 5-card hand made from the combined exposed preset hand and the community cards is compared to the one or more of the table hand(s) disposed in the table hand area 18 combined with the community cards. If the best 5-card hand made from the combination of the exposed preset hand and the community cards is better than the one or more table hand(s) combined with the community cards, then other table hand(s) may be turned or dealt, face up, until all table hands have been revealed. The winning hand is determined based upon a relative ranking of the best 5-card hand made from the combination of the exposed preset hand and the community cards and a relative ranking of the table hands combined with the community cards. The determination of winning hand may be based upon a conventional poker ranking of the hands. A particular example of a suitable conventional poker ranking, from best to worst, is as follows: 1) Straight flush; 2) four of a kind; 3) full house; 4) flush; 5) straight; 6) three of a kind; 7) two pair; 8) one pair; and 9) high card.

The number of table hands may be modulated based on a variety of factors. Examples of suitable factors includes: odds of beating the best 5-card hand made from the combination of the exposed preset hand and the community cards; adjustments to make game play more interesting/exciting; empirical data; and the like. If all of the players have wagered on the table hands then, the best hand wins and the game is over. Ties may be considered as a push, with the wagers being left on the table for the next game. All winning wagers preferably pay 1 to 1. The house advantage may be adjusted by setting rules for resolving wagers when the player hand rank and the house edge hand rank are equal. For example, certain ties may be resolved as a win for the player, while other ties may be resolved as a push or a dealer win. Alternatively, all ties may be resolved as a win for the player or as a win for the dealer in order to create playing enjoyment and/or the preferred house advantage.

If one or more players have placed a wager on the exposed preset hand winning, the house edge hand is turned over or dealt out, face up, in the house edge hand area 24. If the best 5-card hand made from the combination of the house edge hand and the community cards is better than the best 5-card hand made from the combination of the exposed preset hand and the community cards, then the house edge hand wins. In this manner, the house is provided with the ability to maintain an advantage regardless of whether the player wagers on the exposed preset hand or the table hands. In other embodiments, in addition to or rather than a house edge hand being utilized to create a house advantage, a commission may be paid to the house. For example, if a player wagers on the exposed preset hand and wins, a commission is taken from the winnings. In yet another example, one or more pre-determined winning hands may be considered a push (tie game) rather than a win for the player. Any one or more of these methods may be used by the house to create an edge or advantage for the casino.

In a particular embodiment, the exposed preset hand is a pair of aces. The following is a particular set of rules suitable for use with this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, prior to beginning a game, a pair of aces is placed, face up, in the exposed preset hand area 16, four 2-card hands are dealt, face down, in the table hand area 18, and one 2-card hand is dealt, face down, in the house edge hand area. For the purpose of this disclosure, the exposed preset hand may be called the “Aces”, the table hands may be called the “crAAckers”, and the house edge hand may be called the “cAArrot”. Each player may wager on the Aces winner or the crAAckers winning. A game is initiated once all the players have placed all wagers (play wagers and, optionally, bonus wagers). All bets are considered “all-in” with no further betting rounds. A first hand of the table hands (first crAAcker) is turned face up. The flop is dealt, face up, in the flop area 26. Following the flop, a card is burned and the turn is dealt, face up, in the turn area 28. Following the turn, a card is burned and the river is dealt, face up, in the river area 30. The Aces hand (e.g., best 5-card hand made from the combination of the Aces and the community cards) is compared to the first crAAcker (e.g., best 5-card hand made from the combination of the crAAcker and the community cards). All hands must use at least three of the community cards. If the Aces hand is better than the first crAAcker, then the next crAAcker is turned, face up, and this process is repeated until one of the crAAckers beats the Aces or until all four crAAckers have been revealed. If all of the players have wagered on the crAAckers then, the best hand wins and the game is over. That is, if all of the players have wagered on the crAAckers and one of the crAAcker hands is the winning hand then, all of the players have won. Alternatively, if all of the players have wagered on the crAAckers and the Aces hands is the winning hand then, all of the players have lost. Ties are considered as a tie, with the wagers being left on the table for the next game.

If one or more players have placed a wager on the Aces winning, the cAArrot is turned over, in the house edge hand area 24. If the cAArrot (e.g., best 5-card hand made from the combination of the cAArrot and the community cards) is better than the Aces, then the cAArrot wins and the one or more players that have placed a wager on the Aces have lost. In addition to the standard wagers, players may optionally be given the opportunity to place any suitable bonus wager. Examples of suitable bonus wagers generally include wagers placed on Aces, craAAckers, and/or cAArrot hands winning with a particular hand. Specific examples of suitable Aces bonus wagers and respective payouts include: tie 5:1; triple Aces 1:1; flush 2:1; Aces full 3:1; quad Aces 10:1; straight flush 50:1; royal flush 500:1; and the like. Specific examples of suitable craAAckers bonus wagers and respective payouts include: flush 1:1; full house 2:1; quad 7:1; straight flush 20:1; royal flush 100:1; and the like. Specific examples of suitable cAArrot bonus wagers and respective payouts include: win 4:1; tie 10:1; and the like. Optionally, if multiple hands qualify for the bonus payout, only the highest payout will be paid.

In a second particular embodiment, the exposed preset hand is a pair of kings. The following is a particular set of rules suitable for use with this embodiment. Prior to beginning a game, a pair of red kings is placed, face up, in the exposed preset hand area 16, four 2-card hands are dealt, face down, in the table hand area 18, and one 2-card hand is dealt, face down, in the house edge hand area. In other examples, black kings or a mix of red and black kings may be selected. For the purpose of this disclosure, the exposed preset hand may be called the “Kings”. Each player may place a wager on the Kings or the table hands winning. A game is initiated once all the players have placed all wagers (play wagers and, optionally, bonus wagers). All bets are considered “all-in” with no further betting rounds. A first table hand of the table hands is turned face up. The flop is dealt, face up, in the flop area 26. Following the flop, a card is burned and the turn is dealt, face up, in the turn area 28. Following the turn, a card is burned and the river is dealt, face up, in the river area 30. The best kings hand and the best table hand is determined. The Kings hand is compared to the first table hand. If the Kings hand (e.g., best 5-card hand made from the combination of the Kings and the community cards) is better than the first table hand (e.g., best 5-card hand made from the combination of the first table hand and the community cards), then the next table hand is turned, face up, and this process is repeated until one of the table hands beats the Kings or until all four table hand have been revealed. If all of the players have wagered on the table hands then, the best hand wins and the game is over. That is, if all of the players have wagered on the table hands and one of the table hands is the winning hand then, all of the players have won. Optionally, a commission may be charged against any winning table hand. An example of a suitable commission is 1% to 10% and preferably about 5% of the winning amount. Alternatively, if all of the players have wagered on the table hands and the Kings hands is the winning hand then, all of the players have lost. Ties are considered as a tie, with the wagers being left on the table for the next game.

If one or more players have placed a wager on the Kings winning, the house edge hand is turned over, in the house edge hand area 24. The best house edge hand is determined from the combined house edge hand and the community cards. If the house edge hand is better than the Kings, then the house edge hand wins and the one or more players that have placed a wager on the Kings have lost. In addition to the standard wagers, players may optionally be given the opportunity to place any suitable bonus wager. Examples of suitable bonus wagers generally include wagers placed on Kings, table hands, and/or house edge hands winning with a particular hand. Specific examples of suitable Kings bonus wagers and respective payouts include: tie 5:1; triple Kings 1:1; flush 2:1; Kings full 3:1; quad Kings 10:1; straight flush 50:1; royal flush 500:1; and the like. Specific examples of suitable table hands bonus wagers and respective payouts include: flush 1:1; full house 3:1; quad 10:1; straight flush 50:1; royal flush 200:1; and the like. Specific examples of suitable house edge hand bonus wagers and respective payouts include: win 4:1; tie 10:1; and the like. Optionally, if multiple hands qualify for the bonus payout, only the highest payout will be paid.

In a third particular embodiment, the exposed preset hand is a pair of queens. The following is a particular set of rules suitable for use with this embodiment. Prior to beginning a game, a pair of red queens is placed, face up, in the exposed preset hand area 16, three 2-card hands are dealt, face down, in the table hand area 18, and one 2-card hand is dealt, face down, in the house edge hand area. In other examples, black queens or a mix of queens may be selected. For the purpose of this disclosure, the exposed preset hand may be called the “Queens”. Each player may place a wager on the Queens or the table hands winning. A game is initiated once all the players have placed all wagers (play wagers and, optionally, bonus wagers). All bets are considered “all-in” with no further betting rounds. A first table hand of the table hands is turned face up. The flop is dealt, face up, in the flop area 26. Following the flop, a card is burned and the turn is dealt, face up, in the turn area 28. Following the turn, a card is burned and the river is dealt, face up, in the river area 30. The best Queens hand and table hand is determined. The Queens hand is compared to the first table hand. If the Queens hand is better than the first table hand, then the next table hand is turned, face up, and this process is repeated until one of the table hands beats the Queens or until all three table hand have been revealed. If all of the players have wagered on the table hands then, the best hand wins and the game is over. That is, if all of the players have wagered on the table hands and one of the table hands is the winning hand then, all of the players have won. Alternatively, if all of the players have wagered on the table hands and the Queens hand is the winning hand then, all of the players have lost. Ties are considered as a tie, with the wagers being left on the table for the next game.

If one or more players have placed a wager on the Queens winning, the house edge hand is turned over, in the house edge hand area 24 and the best house edge hand is determined. If the house edge hand is better than the Queens, then the house edge hand wins and the one or more players that have placed a wager on the Queens have lost. In addition to the standard wagers, players may optionally be given the opportunity to place any suitable bonus wager. Examples of suitable bonus wagers generally include wagers placed on Queens, table hands, and/or house edge hands winning with a particular hand. Specific examples of suitable Queens bonus wagers and respective payouts include: tie 5:1; triple Queens 1:1; flush 2:1; Queens full 3:1; quad Queens 10:1; straight flush 50:1; royal flush 500:1; and the like. Specific examples of suitable table hands bonus wagers and respective payouts include: flush 1:1; full house 3:1; quad 10:1; straight flush 50:1; royal flush 200:1; and the like. Specific examples of suitable house edge hand bonus wagers and respective payouts include: win 3:1; tie 10:1; and the like. Optionally, if multiple hands qualify for the bonus payout, only the highest payout will be paid.

In a fourth particular embodiment, the exposed preset hand is a pair of aces. The following is a particular set of rules suitable for use with this embodiment. Prior to beginning a game, a pair of aces is placed, face up, in the exposed preset hand area 16, two 3-card hands are dealt, face down, in the table hand area 18, and one 2-card hand is dealt, face down, in the house edge hand area. For the purpose of this disclosure, the exposed preset hand may be called the “Aces”, the table hands may be called the “crAAckers”, and the house edge hand may be called the “cAArrot”. Each player may wager on the Aces winner or the crAAckers winning. A game is initiated once all the players have placed all wagers (play wagers and, optionally, bonus wagers). All bets are considered “all-in” with no further betting rounds. A first hand of the table hands (first crAAcker) is turned face up. The flop is dealt, face up, in the flop area 26. Following the flop, a card is burned and the turn is dealt, face up, in the turn area 28. Following the turn, a card is burned and the river is dealt, face up, in the river area 30. The best Aces hand and crAAcker hands are determined. The Aces hand is compared to the first crAAcker. All hands must use at least three of the community cards. If the Aces hand is better than the first crAAcker, then the second crAAcker is turned, face up. If all of the players have wagered on the crAAckers then, the best hand wins and the game is over. That is, if all of the players have wagered on the crAAckers and one of the crAAcker hands is the winning hand then, all of the players have won. Alternatively, if all of the players have wagered on the crAAckers and the Aces hands is the winning hand then, all of the players have lost. Ties are considered as a tie, with the wagers being left on the table for the next game.

If one or more players have placed a wager on the Aces winning, the cAArrot is turned over, in the house edge hand area 24. If the cAArrot is better than the Aces, then the cAArrot wins and the one or more players that have placed a wager on the Aces have lost. In addition to the standard wagers, players may optionally be given the opportunity to place any suitable bonus wager. Examples of suitable bonus wagers generally include wagers placed on Aces, craAAckers, and/or cAArrot hands winning with a particular hand. Specific examples of suitable Aces bonus wagers and respective payouts include: tie 5:1; triple Aces 1:1; flush 2:1; Aces full 3:1; quad Aces 10:1; straight flush 50:1; royal flush 500:1; and the like. Specific examples of suitable craAAckers bonus wagers and respective payouts include: flush 1:1; full house 2:1; quad 7:1; straight flush 20:1; royal flush 100:1; and the like. Specific examples of suitable cAArrot bonus wagers and respective payouts include: win 4:1; tie 10:1; and the like. Optionally, if multiple hands qualify for the bonus payout, only the highest payout will be paid.

It is to be understood that while the game is described as being played in-person, with standard poker cards, the game need not be played in-person and the game need not be played with poker cards. Rather, the game may be played on a computing device and/or on the internet. In addition, the game may be played with any suitable card set or suitable equivalent. Examples of suitable equivalent include dice, chips, game pieces, video or digital representations of cards, chips, shapes, and the like. Embodiments of the invention can be presented in a wide variety and forms of media such as, but not limited to, single player slot video machines, multi-player slot video machines, electronic games and devices, lottery terminals, scratch-card formats, software, as well as in-flight, home and Internet entertainment. In addition, the various embodiments of the invention can be readily implemented as a computer program product (e.g., floppy disk, compact disc, etc.) comprising a non-transitory computer readable medium having control logic recorded therein and configured to be executed on a computing device. For example, computer readable instructions can be loaded or fixed in a tangible medium such as the memory of a computer and executed by a central processing unit (CPU) to perform the operations described herein.

An exemplary apparatus configured for playing the game according to the invention may include a display, a player interface, and circuitry for effecting game play and including structure for receiving wagers and dealing hands according to the rules of the game. The processing circuit effects game play according to game rules and resolves wagers based on a comparison of the player hand to a computer house edge hand as well as possibly a payout scale.

FIG. 2 is a system architecture for the game system 60 according to an embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 2, a game controller 62 is configured to intercommunicate with a memory 64, a display 66, and a player input device such as, for example, a keypad 68. The memory 64 is configured to store data received from the game controller 62. For example, the memory 64 may store card order, cards played, dates, wager intake, player payouts, a set of rules for game play, and the like. With regard to the set of rules for game play, the rules such as those described herein, may be stored to a rules file 70. The game controller 62 may be configured to access the rules file 70 and execute the instructions therein in order to play the game. The display 66 is configured to provide visual information to a user. In another form, the display 66 may include a touch screen configured to provide a data entry capacity to the user. In this regard, the display 66 and/or the keypad 68 is configured to provide the user with the capability to select a calibration mode. The keypad 68 may, optionally, be included in the game system 60. If present, the keypad 68 is configured to provide an interactive capacity to the user, such as, placing wagers, starting a game, cashing out, and the like.

Furthermore, in various embodiments of the invention, the game system 60 may include a network 72 configured to intercommunicate with the game controller 62. The network 72 may include, for example, a database 74, server 76, and a multitude of other networked devices. In this regard, the network 72 may include a local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), wireless network, the Internet, and the like. In addition, the game may be played with one or more players. If more than one player is playing, these players may be connected via the network or may be computer generated to increase enjoyment of a human player.

FIG. 3 is a system architecture for the game controller 62 suitable for use in the game system 60 according to FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 3, the game controller 62 includes a processor 80. This processor 80 is operably connected to a power supply 82, memory 84, clock 86, analog to digital converter (A/D) 88, and an input/output (I/O) port 90. The I/O port 90 is configured to receive signals from any suitably attached electronic device and forward these signals to the A/D 88 and/or the processor 80. For example, the I/O port 90 may receive signals associated with player input from the keypad, for example, and forward the signals to the processor 80. If the signals are in analog format, the signals may proceed via the A/D 88. In this regard, the A/D 88 is configured to receive analog format signals and convert these signals into corresponding digital format signals. Conversely, the A/D 88 is configured to receive digital format signals from the processor 80, convert these signals to analog format, and forward the analog signals to the I/O port 90. In this manner, electronic devices configured to receive analog signals may intercommunicate with the processor 80.

The processor 80 is configured to receive and transmit signals to and from the A/D 88 and/or the I/O port 90. The processor 80 is further configured to receive time signals from the clock 86. In addition, the processor 80 is configured to store and retrieve electronic data to and from the memory 84. Furthermore, the processor 80 is configured to access the rules file 70 determine steps to perform in the game play. For example, based on the rules file, the processor 80 is configured to determine the sequence for displaying the cards, evaluate the hands to determine the winning hand, determine any bonus payout, credit or withdrawal funds to/from the player, and the like.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a method 94 according to an embodiment of the invention. In the following description of the method 94, the various steps are presented in a particular order, however, it is to be known that the steps may be performed in any suitable order. As shown in FIG. 4, the method 94 is initiated in response to a wager being placed on the game system 60 at step 96. Prior to initiation of the game, the game system 60 may perform various steps such as, for example, displaying various graphical images on the display 66, randomly ordering an electronic representation of a deck of cards, and the like.

At step 98, the first table hand is dealt out. For example, based upon the instructions in the rules file 70, the processor 80 determines the number of cards to display and the location on the display to display them and determines a set of signals based upon the determined cards. The signals are forwarded to the display 66. The display 66 receives the signals and displays the first table hand.

At step 100, the flop is dealt out. For example, based upon the instructions in the rules file 70, the processor 80 may be configured to display a suitable number of cards on the display 66. The particular cards displayed may be selected from a randomly generated card ordering of a standard 52-card deck of cards, from a lookup table, or the like. Optionally, the game system 60 is configured to prompt the player to enter additional wagers.

At step 102, the turn card is dealt or otherwise displayed on display 66. Optionally, prior to dealing the turn, the game system 60 may be configured to display a card being burned and the turn may be displayed. Also optionally, the game system 60 is configured to prompt the player to enter additional wagers after the turn.

At step 104, the river is dealt or otherwise displayed on the display 66. Optionally, prior to dealing the river, the game system 60 may be configured to display a card being burned. Also optionally, the game system 60 is configured to prompt the player to enter additional wagers after the river.

At step 106, the processor 80 is configured to compare the best 5-card hand made from the combined exposed preset hand and the community cards to the one or more best 5-card hand made from the combined displayed table hands and the community cards. If the best 5-card hand made from the combination of the exposed preset hand and the community cards is better than the one or more best 5-card hand made from the combined displayed table hands and the community cards then, at step 108, the processor 80 determines if the last table hand has been dealt out. If, at step 106, it is determined that the best 5-card hand made from the combined displayed table hands and the community cards is better than the best 5-card hand made from the combination of the exposed preset hand and the community cards then, at step 110, it is determined if the player has wagered on the exposed preset hand.

At step 108, the processor 80 determines if the last table hand has been dealt out. For example, the processor 80 is configured to compare the number of table hands displayed on the display 66 to a maximum number of table hands allowed to be displayed based upon the rules file 70. If the last table hand has been dealt then, at step 110, it is determined if the player has wagered on the exposed preset hand. If the last table hand has not been dealt then, at step 112, a next table hand is dealt and at step 106, the processor 80 is configured to compare the best 5-card hand made from the combination of the exposed preset hand and the community cards to the one or more best 5-card hand made from the combined displayed table hands and the community cards.

At step 110, it is determined if the player has wagered on the exposed preset hand. If so, the game system 60 is configured to deal or otherwise display the house edge hand at step 114 and, at step 116, the processor 80 is configured to determine if the player has won. If it is determined that the player has not wagered on the exposed preset hand then, at step 116, the processor 80 is configured to determine if the player has won.

At step 116, it is determined if the player has won the game. For example, the processor 80 is configured to determine which hand has won and, based upon which hand the player has wagered on, the processor 80 is configured to determine if the player has won the game. If the player has won then, at step 118, the payout is determined. If the player has lost then, at step 120, it is determined if the player is cashing out or playing another game. In addition, depending upon the rules delineated in the rules file 70, a tie game may be determined as a win for the house, a win for the player, or a tie with the wager being returned to the player.

At step 118, the payout is determined based upon the wager and any bonus wagers. For example, the processor 80 may determine the payout based upon the rules delineated in the rules file 70. If the house is to receive a commission, the commission is calculated and subtracted from the payout. The payout is credited to the players account. Following step 118, it is determined, at step 120, if the player is to cash out or play another game.

At step 120, it is determined if the player is to cash out or play another game. For example, the game system 60 may include a ‘cash out button, icon, or other such user interface. The processor 80 may determine if the ‘cash out’ button or icon has be pressed. If so, the player's account may be closed on the game system 60. In another example, if the processor determines another wager has been made, the processor 80 may determine that a new game is to begin at step 96.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a method of playing a house-banked game of poker following Texas Hold'Em play and in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 5, the game is initiated by removing the preset hand and displaying or exposing the preset hand at step 130. The remaining cards are shuffled at step 132. In response to a bet or wager being placed at step 134, a first table hand is displayed at step 136. The community cards are dealt out at step 138. For example, the flop may be dealt out, face up, in the flop area 26. Following the flop, a card may be burned (e.g., removed from the top of the deck and placed on the bottom of the deck) and the turn dealt, face up, in the turn area 28. Following the turn, a card may be burned and the river is turned over or dealt, face up, in the river area 30.

At step 140, the best 5-card hand is made from the combined exposed preset hand and the community cards. At step 142, the best 5-card hand is made from the table hand and the community cards. At step 144, these hands are compared. If the best 5-card hand made from the one or more table hand(s) combined with the community cards is better than the combination of the exposed preset hand and the community cards then, as shown at step 148, the table hands win. Alternatively, if the best 5-card hand made from the exposed preset hand and the community cards is better than the one or more table hand(s) combined with the community cards then, as shown at step 150, it is determined if all the table hands have been dealt. If not, then the next table hand is dealt at step 152. If so, the table hands loose at step 154 and the house edge hand is dealt at step 156. The best 5-card hand made from the house edge hand and the community cards is determined at step 158 and this hand is compared to the exposed preset hand at step 160. At step 162, it is determined if the best 5-card poker hand made from the exposed preset hand is better than the best 5-card hand made from the house edge hand and the community cards. If so, the exposed preset hand wins at step 164. If not, the house edge hand wins at step 166.

At step 168, the bets are resolved according to the wagers of the players and the outcome of the hands. Any bonus bets may be resolved at this time as well. According to various embodiments, ties may be resolved as a push, house win, or player win. Following step 168, the game is over and a new game may be initiated at step 132 or step 130.

The many features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the detailed specification, and thus, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such features and advantages of the invention which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and variations will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation illustrated and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of playing a house-banked casino card game, the method comprising: displaying an exposed preset hand; receiving a wager from a player, the wager being placed on one of the exposed preset hand and a table hand; displaying the table hand; displaying a set of community cards; determining a winning hand between the exposed preset hand combined with the set of community cards and the table hand combined with the set of community cards based upon a relative ranking thereof; and paying the player in response to the player wagering on the winning hand.
 2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: displaying a second table hand in response to determining the exposed preset hand combined with the set of community cards is a higher ranked hand relative to the table hand combined with the set of community cards.
 3. The method according to claim 2, further comprising: displaying a third table hand in response to determining the exposed preset hand combined with the set of community cards is a higher ranked hand relative to the second table hand combined with the set of community cards.
 4. The method according to claim 3, further comprising: displaying a fourth table hand in response to determining the exposed preset hand combined with the set of community cards is a higher ranked hand relative to the third table hand combined with the set of community cards.
 5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: displaying a house edge hand in response to the player wagering on the exposed preset hand and further in response to the exposed preset hand combined with the set of community cards being a higher ranked hand than a set of table hands combined with the set of community cards.
 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the exposed preset hand is a pair of aces.
 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the exposed preset hand is a pair of kings.
 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the exposed preset hand is a pair of queens.
 9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the set of community cards includes 5 cards and the method further comprises: displaying 3 cards of the set of community cards; displaying a fourth card of the set of community cards in response to the three cards being displayed; and displaying a fifth card of the set of community cards in response to the fourth card being displayed.
 10. The method according to claim 9, further comprising: burning a first card prior to displaying the fourth card; and burning a second card prior to displaying the fifth card.
 11. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least three cards of the set of community cards is combined with the exposed preset hand and at least three cards of the set of community cards is combined with the table hand.
 12. A method of playing a house-banked casino card game, the method comprising: displaying an exposed preset hand; receiving a wager from a player, the wager being placed on one of the exposed preset hand and a set of table hands; displaying a first table hand of the set of table hands; displaying a set of community cards; determining a relative ranking of the exposed preset hand combined with the set of community cards and a relative ranking of the first table hand combined with the set of community cards; displaying a second table hand of the set of table hands in response to determining the exposed preset hand combined with the set of community cards is a higher ranked hand relative to the first table hand combined with the set of community cards; determining a winning hand between the exposed preset hand combined with the set of community cards and the set of table hands combined with the set of community cards based upon a relative ranking of the exposed preset hand combined with the set of community cards and a relative ranking of each hand of the set of table hands combined with the set of community cards; and paying the player in response to the player wagering on the winning hand.
 13. The method according to claim 12, further comprising: displaying a third table hand of the set of table hands in response to determining the exposed preset hand combined with the set of community cards is a higher ranked hand relative to the second table hand combined with the set of community cards.
 14. The method according to claim 13, further comprising: displaying a fourth table hand in response to determining the exposed preset hand combined with the set of community cards is a higher ranked hand relative to the third table hand combined with the set of community cards.
 15. The method according to claim 12, further comprising: displaying a house edge hand in response to the player wagering on the exposed preset hand and further in response to the exposed preset hand combined with the set of community cards being a higher ranked hand than the set of table hands combined with the set of community cards.
 16. The method according to claim 12, wherein the exposed preset hand is a pair of aces.
 17. The method according to claim 12, wherein the exposed preset hand is a pair of kings.
 18. The method according to claim 12, wherein the exposed preset hand is a pair of queens.
 19. The method according to claim 12, wherein the set of community cards includes 5 cards, wherein 3 of the set of community cards are initially displayed, a fourth card is displayed, and a fifth card is displayed.
 20. The method according to claim 19, further comprising: burning a first card prior to displaying the fourth card; and burning a second card prior to displaying the fifth card.
 21. A game table comprising: a dealer area comprising: an exposed preset hand area is configured to receive an exposed preset hand; a table hand area is configured to receive one or more table hands; and a community card area is configured to receive a set of community cards that are combined with the exposed preset hand and the set of community cards are combined with the table hands; and a plurality of player areas.
 22. The game table according to claim 21, further comprising: a house edge hand area is configured to receive one or more house edge hands
 23. The game table according to claim 21, wherein the community card area further comprises: a flop area a turn area; and a river area.
 24. The game table according to claim 21, wherein the dealer area further comprises: one or more of a rules listing; and one or more bonus wager payout information areas. 